Door closer assembly and self-aligning stop

ABSTRACT

A non-handed door closer assembly is provided of the type including a main arm mounted to rotate relative to the door, a secondary arm pivotally connected to the main arm, and a soffit plate mounting the secondary arm to the door frame. A selfaligning stop member is rotatably mounted on the underside of the soffit plate to limit rotation of the secondary arm with respect to the soffit plate when the secondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative to the soffit plate. The stop comprises a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, and rotation of the frame portion defines a plane generally parallel to the planes of rotation of the main arm and the secondary arm. The stop further comprises a stop portion projecting downwardly from the frame portion and including a generally vertical stop surface disposed to engage the secondary arm when the secondary arm reaches the pre-determined orientation during either left hand or right hand operation. The stop surface is transversely disposed from the axis of rotation, such that engagement of the secondary arm and the stop surface causes the stop to rotate to either its correct right hand orientation or its correct left hand orientation.

United States Patent Christy et al.

Oct. 14, 1975 DOOR CLOSER ASSEIVIBLY AND SELF-ALIGNING STOP Inventors:Charles B. Christy, Charlotte;

Richard L. Zunkel, Marshville, both of NC.

[57] ABSTRACT A non-handed door closer assembly is provided of the typeincluding a main arm mounted to rotate relative to the door, a secondaryarm pivotally connected to the main arm, and a soffit plate mounting thesecondary arm to the door frame. A self-aligning stop member isrotatably mounted on the underside of the soffit plate to limit rotationof the secondary arm with respect to the soffit plate when the secondaryarm reaches a predetermined orientation relative to the soffit plate.The stop comprises a frame portion [52] Us. CL l 16/49; 16/85; 16/DIG 17mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, and rota- 51 Int. cl. E05F3/00 Of the heme Pettieh defines a Plane generally [58] Field of Search16/49, 51, DIG. 17, 71, Petahel t0 the Planes tOtetie" of the main armand 16/82 74/526. 292/263 275 the secondary arm. The stop furthercomprises a stop portion projecting downwardly from the frame portion[56] References Cited and including a generally vertical stop surfacedis- UNITED STATES PATENTS posed to engage the secondary arm when thesecondary arm reaches the pre-determined orientation during 528,14610/1894 Case l6/DIG. 17 either left h or right hand Operation The p Supr g face is transversely disposed from the axis of rotation, 32599367/1966 ggi 16/49 such that engagement of the secondary arm and the stopsurface causes the stop to rotate to either its cor- Primay ExaminerGeorge H Krizmanich rect right hand orientation or its correct left handori- Attorney, Agent, or FirmTeagno & Toddy ematlon' 11 Claims, 6Drawing Figures I l i l a ,1 l 23 ,j l I --7- l( I l l i i F: l i i 5 lI 1 i l l i: 23 l --l9 U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,911,526

FIG. 2

FIG.

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,911,526

l HI] 39 FIG. 4

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,911,526

DOOR CLOSER ASSEMBLY AND SELF-ALIGNING STOP BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention relates to door closer assemblies, and moreparticularly, to a door closer assembly utilizing a stop member forlimiting opening of the closing arm which is self-aligning and thus, maybe used for either left hand or right hand operation.

Although the stop means of the present invention may be used with a doorcloser assembly which is designed for right hand operation or with adoor closer assembly which is designed for left hand operation, it isespecially useful with non-handed door closers, and will be described inconnection therewith. As used herein, the term non-handed", in referenceto a door closer, means that the closer is designed for either left handoperation or right hand operation, so that at the time of installation,any one closer assembly may be utilized for either hand of operation.

In view of the versatility of non-handed door closer assemblies, it hasbecome desirable to provide on such assemblies a stop means for limitingopening movement of the door by limiting the rotation of the closingarm. Furthermore, it is desirable for the closer assembly to include astop means which is capable of aligning itself to accomplish thenecessary stopping action regardless of whether the closer assembly isto be mounted for left hand operation or right hand operation. The stopmeans of the present invention eliminates the necessity of repositioningor readjusting a stop member at the time of installation of the closerassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a door closer assembly including a stop means whichis capable of aligning itself for either hand of operation of the closerassembly.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide stopmeans operable to pivot between a left hand position and a right handposition while providing, in either position, a stop surface operable toengage the closing arm.

It is an even more specific object of the present invention to provide adoor closer assembly including a main arm mounted for rotation withrespect to either the door or the frame, a secondary arm pivotallyconnected to the main arm and means mounting the secondary arm to theother of the door and frame for relative rotation therewith. A stopmeans is associated with the mounting means for limiting rotation of thesecondary arm with respect to the mounting means when the secondary armreaches a predetermined orientation. The stop means comprises a frameportion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axis, rotation of theframe portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes ofrotation of the main arm and secondary arm. The stop means furthercomprises a stop portion projecting from the frame portion in adirection oppositely disposed from the mounting means, the stop portionincluding a stop surface disposed to engage the secondary arm when thesecondary arm reaches the predetermined orientation, during either lefthand operation or right hand operation. The stop surface is transverselydisposed from the axis of rotation such that engagement of the secondaryarm and the stop surface, when the stop means is not oriented in eitherthe left hand position or the right hand position, will cause the stopmeans to rotate to either the left hand position or the right handposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somehwat schematic planview of a door and door closer assembly illustrating the closed-door andopen-door position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view similar to a portion ofFIG. 1, corresponding to both the closed-door and open-door positions,right hand operation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating both closed-door andopen-door positions, left hand operation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2, and on ascale twice that of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 2, and also ona scale twice that of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating analternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,which are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, and not for limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates theenvironment for which the stop means of the present invention isespecially adapted. In FIG. 1, a door 11 is mounted to swing within adoor frame 13 by means of a set of hinges 15. Opening and closing actionof the door 11 is controlled by a door closer assembly 17, including adoor closer 19 which may be of the type illustrated in US Pat. No.2,994,906, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and whichforms no part of the present invention. The door closer 19, which ismounted on the door 11, is interconnected with a soffit plate 21,disposed on the door frame 13 by means of a closing arm assembly whichincludes a main closing arm 23, secondary closing arm 25. Thus, as usedhereinafter, the term closing arm may refer to and include either themain arm 23, the secondary arm 25, or a combination of the arms 23 and25. Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be utilized with a door closer assembly notincluding the door closer 19, the closing arm assembly merely beingpivotally mounted relative to the door.

FIG. 1 illustrates both the closed-door position (solid lines), and theopen-door position (broken lines). It will be noted that as the door 11swings toward the open door position, main closing arm 23 pivotsrelative to the door closer l9 and the secondary closing arm 25 rotatesrelative to the soffit plate 21 until the rotation of the arm 25 stopsat the position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, and in more detailin FIG. 2. Referring now to the fragmentary view of FIG. 2, there isshown the soffit plate 21 and a fragmentary portion of the secondaryclosing arm 25 which is pivotally mounted to the soffit plate 21, as bymeans of a shoulder bolt 27 engaging the pin 27 on the underside of thesoffit plate 21. The soffit plate 21 includes a number of counter-boredholes 31, useable for fastening the soffit plate to the door frame 13,such as by means of a plurality of flatheaded screws (not shown).Extending through the soffit plate 21 is a rivet 33 which is used torotatably mount a stop means 35.

FIG. 2, illustrating parallel-arm application of the closer assembly,right hand operation and FIG. 3, illustrating parallel-arm applicationof the closer assembly, left hand operation, will be referred tosubsequently in connection with the operation of the stop means 35,although it should be clearly understood that the present invention maybe utilized with closer assemblies installed for other than parallel-armapplication.

In the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 and the stop means 35 is shownin greater detail. The stop means 35 includes a generally rectangularframe portion 37 which is pivotally mounted on the underside of thesoffit plate 21 by means of the rivet 33, the head of rivet 33 engagingthe undersurface 39 of frame portion 37. Extending downwardly fromundersurface 39 is a pair of generally rectangular stop portions 41,oriented to extend lengthwise of frame portion 37, the stop portions 41being disposed generally parallel to each other. At the end of each ofthe stop portions 41, toward the rivet 33, is a stop surface 43,intended to engage the side surface of secondary closing arm 25, as isshown best in FIG. 5.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the stop means 35 is shown in dotted formbecause FIG. 2 is a top plan view and the stop means is mounted on theunderside of the soffit plate 21. In FIG. 2 the stop means 35 is shownnearly in its right-hand position, with the side of secondary arm 25 inengagement with one of the stop surfaces 43. From the position shown inFIG. 2, as the door 11 continues to open, the secondary arm 25 willcontinue to rotate clockwise, perhaps 1 or 2, while the stop means 35will rotate approximately the same number of degrees in acounterclockwise direction in response to rotation of the secondary arm25 until both the stop surfaces 43 engage the secondary arm 25. Whenboth stop surfaces 43 engage with the secondary arm 25, further openingthe door 11 will be prevented and the door will be stopped in apredetermined position. Similarly, in FIG. 3, the secondary closing arm25 will rotate through a small angle from the position shown, possibly 4or 5 in the counterclockwise direction, and the stop means 35 willrotate approximately the same number of degrees and also in thecounterclockwise direction, again until both of the stop surfaces 43 arein engagement with the secondary closing arm 25, thus preventing furtherrotation of the stop means 35,. and corresponding movement of the door11.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an alternative embodimentof the present invention which utilizes a plunger hold-open 51 inconjunction with the stop means 35. The plunger hold-open (or detent) 51may be any of those well known in the art, an example of which isillustrated by US. Pat. No. 3,259,936, and assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the rivet 33performs an additional function, the head of the rivet defining a detentsurface 53. The plunger hold-open 51 includes a plunger head 55 definingopening 57 generally configured such that it can engage the detentsurface 53, the plunger head 55 being yieldably biased toward theengaged position shown by a spring (not shown in FIG. 6). Preferably,the transverse spacing of the plunger hold-open 51 on the secondaryclosing arm 25 is such that the side surface of the closing arm 25engages stop surfaces 43 just as the opening 57 achieves engagement withthe detent surface 53. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 provides notonly a self-aligning stop means, but also, a positive-acting mechanismfor holding the door when it reaches the predetermined position.

The invention has been described in detail sufficient to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. Modifications andalterations of the preferred embodiment will occur to others upon areading of the specification and it is our intention to include all suchmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

We now claim:

1. In a non-handed door closer assembly the door elements including adoor and a frame, the door closer assembly including a main arm mountedfor rotation relative to one of said door and frame, a secondary armpivotally connected to said main arm, means mounting said secondary armto the other of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith, andstop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation ofsaid secondary arm with respect to said mounting means when saidsecondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto, saidstop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatableabout an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation ofsaid frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes ofrotation of said main arm and said secondary arm, said stop meansfurther comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame.

portion in a direction oppositely disposed from said mounting means,said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage saidsecondary arm when said secondary arm reaches said predeterminedorientation, said stop surface being transversely disposed from saidaxis.

2. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said mountingmeans comprises a soffit plate defining a longitudinal axis, said frameportion being pivotally connected to said soffit plate by a pivot means.

3. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivotmeanscomprises a rivet extending through saidframe portion andterminating in a head portion oppositely disposed from said soffit plateabout said frame portion.

4. A door closer assembly as defined in claim. 3 wherein said headportion defines a detent surface operable to engage a detent meansassociated with said secondary arm at approximately the same time thatsaid secondary arm engages said stop surface.

5. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said headportion defines a detent surface, and including detent means mounted formovement with said secondary arm to engage said detent surface when saidsecondary arm engages said stop surface.

6. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said detentmeans comprises a plunger assembly yieldably biased toward a positionwherein said plunger assembly engages said-detent surface.

7. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said assembly isoperable for both left hand and right hand operations, said stop meansis in a first position when said secondary arm reaches a left handpredetermined orientation, and said stop means is in a second positionwhen said secondary arm reaches a right hand predetermined orientation.

8. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first andsecond positions are oppositely disposed about said rotational axis,said frame portion being free to rotate through approximately 360.

9. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondaryarm engages said stop portion during movement of said secondary armtoward'one of said left hand and right hand predetermined orientationsto cause said stop means to pivot toward one of said first and secondpositions, respectively.

10. A non-handed door closer assembly for door elements including a doorand a frame, comprising:

a. a closing arm assembly having one end mounted for rotation relativeto one of said door and frame;

b. means mounting the other end of said closing arm assembly to theother of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith;

0. stop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotationof said closing arm assembly with respect to said mounting means whensaid closing arm assembly reaches a predetermined orientation relativethereto;

d. said stop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freelyrotatable about an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means,rotation of said frame portion defining a plane generally parallel tothe plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly;

e. said stop means further comprising a stop portion projecting fromsaid frame portion in a direction generally perpendicular to said planeof rotation of said closing arm assembly, said stop portion including astop surface disposed to engage said closing arm assembly when saidclosing arm assembly reaches said predetermined orientation, said stopsurface being spaced apart from said axis.

11. A self-aligning stop assembly for limiting rotational movement of adoor about a first axis by engaging a closing arm rotatable with saiddoor, movement of said closing arm relative to said door defining aplane substantially perpendicular to said first axis, said selfaligningstop assembly comprising a stop member, means for supporting said stopmember for rotation about a second axis disposed substantially parallelto said first axis, said stop member including a stop surface disposedsubstantially perpendicular to and intersecting said plane of rotation,said stop member being rotatable about said second axis to enable saidstop assembly to align with closing arms associated with lefthand andright-hand doors, and said stop member being rotatable about said secondaxis in response to engagement of said stop surface with said closingarm upon said door, said stop surface being configured to permit saidclosing arm to rotate to a predetermined orientation wherein said stopsurface engages said closing arm to prevent further rotation of saidclosing arm.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT N0. 1 3,911,526

DATED 1 1 /14/75 INVENTOWS) 1 Charles B. Christy; Richard L. Zunkel Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 5: Correct spelling of "somehwat". Col. 3, line 39: After"opening" 1nsertof-.

Col. 4, line 13: After "assembly" delete "the" and insertfor-- Erigncdand Sealed this third D ay Of February I 976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Atresring Officer Commissioner oj'Parentsand Trademarks UNITED STATES'PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,911,526

DATED 10 14/75 INVENTOR(S) Charles B. Christy; Richard L. Zunkel It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 5: Correct spelling of "somehwat". Col. 3, line 39: After"opening" insert---of--.

Col. 4, line 13: After "assembly" delete "the" and insertfor--.

Signed and Sealed this third Day of February 1976 [SEAL] A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parentsand Trademarks

1. In a non-handed door closer assembly the door elements including adoor and a frame, the door closer assembly including a main arm mountedfor rotation relative to one of said door and frame, a secondary armpivotally connected to said main arm, means mounting said secondary armto the other of said door and frame for relative rotation therewith, andstop means associated with said mounting means for limiting rotation ofsaid secondary arm with respect to said mounting means when saidsecondary arm reaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto, saidstop means comprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatableabout an axis fixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation ofsaid frame portion defining a plane generally parallel to the planes ofrotation of said main arm and said secondary arm, said stop meansfurther comprising a stop portion projecting from said frame portion ina direction oppositely disposed from said mounting means, said stopportion including a stop surface disposed to engage said secondary armwhen said secondary arm reaches said predetermined orientation, saidstop surface being transversely disposed from said axis.
 2. A doorcloser assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting meanscomprises a soffit plate defining a longitudinal axis, said frameportion being pivotally connected to said soffit plate by a pivot means.3. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot meanscomprises a rivet extending through said frame portion and terminatingin a head portion oppositely disposed from said soffit plate about saidframe portion.
 4. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid head portion defines a detent surface operable to engage a detentmeans associated with said secondary arm at approximately the same timethat said secondary arm engages said stop surface.
 5. A door closerassembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said head portion defines adetent surface, and including detent means mounted for movement withsaid secondary arm to engage said detent surface when said secondary armengages said stop surface.
 6. A door closer assembly as defined in claim5 wherein said detent means comprises a plunger assembly yieldablybiased toward a position wherein said plunger assembly engages saiddetent surface.
 7. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid assembly is operable for both left hand and right hand operations,said stop means is in a first position when said secondary arm reaches aleft hand predetermined orientation, and said stop means is in a secondposition when said secondary arm reaches a right hand predeterminedorientation.
 8. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 7 whereinsaid first and second positions are oppositely disposed about saidrotational axis, said frame portion being free to rotate throughapproximately 360*.
 9. A door closer assembly as defined in claim 8wherein said secondary arm engages said stop portion during movement ofsaid secondary arm toward one of said left hand and right handpredetermined orientations to cause said stop means to pivot toward oneof said first and second positions, respectively.
 10. A non-handed doorcloser assembly for door elements including a door and a frame,comprising: a. a closing arm assembly having one end mounted forrotation relative to one of said door and frame; b. means mounting theother end of said closing arm assembly to the other of said door andframe foR relative rotation therewith; c. stop means associated withsaid mounting means for limiting rotation of said closing arm assemblywith respect to said mounting means when said closing arm assemblyreaches a predetermined orientation relative thereto; d. said stop meanscomprising a frame portion mounted to be freely rotatable about an axisfixed with respect to said mounting means, rotation of said frameportion defining a plane generally parallel to the plane of rotation ofsaid closing arm assembly; e. said stop means further comprising a stopportion projecting from said frame portion in a direction generallyperpendicular to said plane of rotation of said closing arm assembly,said stop portion including a stop surface disposed to engage saidclosing arm assembly when said closing arm assembly reaches saidpredetermined orientation, said stop surface being spaced apart fromsaid axis.
 11. A self-aligning stop assembly for limiting rotationalmovement of a door about a first axis by engaging a closing armrotatable with said door, movement of said closing arm relative to saiddoor defining a plane substantially perpendicular to said first axis,said self-aligning stop assembly comprising a stop member, means forsupporting said stop member for rotation about a second axis disposedsubstantially parallel to said first axis, said stop member including astop surface disposed substantially perpendicular to and intersectingsaid plane of rotation, said stop member being rotatable about saidsecond axis to enable said stop assembly to align with closing armsassociated with left-hand and right-hand doors, and said stop memberbeing rotatable about said second axis in response to engagement of saidstop surface with said closing arm upon said door, said stop surfacebeing configured to permit said closing arm to rotate to a predeterminedorientation wherein said stop surface engages said closing arm toprevent further rotation of said closing arm.